Toy elevator



Apr. 24, 1923. 1,452,608

J. P. KlRsT TOY ELEVATOR Filed Feb` 20, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 www Patented Apr. k24, `1923.

f rasata y stars rara-r rica- JOHN P. KIRST, F OHIO, ILLIIN-OIS.,l n

TOY ELEVATOR.

Application sied February 2o, i922. seriai 1ra-537,957@

T 0 all whom it 07mg/ concern.'

Be it known that l, JOHN P. Kinsr, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ohio, inthe county of Bureau and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful- Improvements in Toy Elevators, of which the followingis a specification. v

This invention relates to to-ys of the gravity operated type, and the primary object ofy the present invention is the provision of an improved mechanical toy simulating an elevator `embodying novel means -operated by 'the elevator car for periodically feeding weights thereto, for causing the car to automatically lower, means for releasing the weights from the car when the same reaches its lowermost position, and means for automatically returning the car to its uppermost position for releasinganother weight from the weight 'releasing means.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a novel toy embodying a'supportf ing structure, an velevator car slidably mounted in the structure with means for normally sliding and maintaining the carin a raised position, and novel means actuated by the car for releasing a weight when the car is in its uppermost position to cause the car to automatically lower and to overcome the active weight which normally'tends to maintain the car in itsraised position.

A further object of the invention is the provision of novel means for releasing the weights, the releasing means being so constructed that only. one weight ata time is re-y leased, thereby insuring the effective operaf tion of the car, the weight releasing means being also so constructed as to move'one weight into a releasing position when an-i other Weight has just been released.

A further object of the invention is tok provide a novel'tipping platform carried by the elevator car, which is adapted to be actuated when the car reaches its lowermost position for permitting the weight to roll off of the elevator car.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel meansk for forming the weights whereby the same will simulate bar-y relsand whereby the same will lbe provided with annular guide flanges which are adapted to kengage iny longitudinal guide ,tracks formed in the `weight feeding means, whereby the weights `will always be held in correct position in the"weight feeding means thereby preventing the" choking of said weight feed-f.

ing means.

A still further object of the finvention is to provide an improved toy'elevator of the above character, whichis durable in use,one

' that is simpleand easy to manufacture, one l which can be placed upon the market at a reasonable cost, and one in which the basic kprinciplesthereof cany be used in merchandise handling apparatus.

. VViththese and other objects in view, the inventi'onconsists inthe novel construction, arrangement, and formation of parts,A as will be hereinafter more specificallyv described claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which drawings: y

Figure l is a plan view of th'e improved toy elevator. n

Figure'2 is aivertical longitudinal section through the same.

Figure Sis `a rear edge elevation of the saine.

the weight releasing and feeding means.

Figure 5 is a horizontal section through thev improved toy elevator taken on the line 5--5 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the lower portion of the improved Figure i .is-a *detailv perspective viewof elevator illustrating the tipping platform carried by the elevator `and the lock carried by Athe frame for permitting the elevator to be held ina lower non-operative position.

Referring to Vthe drawings in detail, whereinsimilar reference characters "designate corresponding parts throughout the several views; theletter A indicates rthe frame ofl the improved apparatus; B, the elevator-car supported by the frame A for vertical. reciprocatory movement; C, the means for normally causing the raising of the car;v l), the weight feeding means; E,

the Vweight releasing and checking means;

and F, the novel means for releasing ,thev

iio

tion oilE of the iioor or other support upony Which the toy may be placed. The base plate 10 at the longitudinal center thereof is provided with an upstruclr platform 12.,H

down which .the weights are adapted to roll when the same are released from the ele-Qy vater car B. At one end of the base plate 10 and forwardly ofthe inclined unloading platform 12 is disposed the elevator shaft 13, which as shown consists of upstanding corner posts 14. As shown, there are four of these corner posts 14 and the same are arranged in pairs, and the innermost pair may be connected at their upper ends by a U-shaped connecting bight portion 15. The lower ends of all of the corner posts 14 are provided with right angularly extend ing feet 16, which are adapted to be in-` sorted in struck up eyes 17. These eyes 17 can'be formed. by slitting the base plate 10 and then striking up the metal lying between the slit portions. The outer pair of corner posts 14 can extend beyond the upper ends ef the innermost pair of yposts 14 and can have vtheir terminals bentto provide eyes 18, which form bearings for the shaft 19, whichv forms a part of the elei-ator ear raising means C which will be hereinafter more fully described.

The forward end of the base plate 1() in alignment with the front end of the in-` clined unieding platform 12 can be provided with a pair of posts or standards 2O which can be formed of wire, if so desired, and the lower` ends of these posts are also Vprovided with rigularly' extending feet 21 which can be inserted through eyes that can be struck. up from the base plate 10. The standards 2() and the inner pair i et corner posts 14 of the elevator shaft 13 can form a supp r thelo'wer unloading platform 12 and il me upper loading platform D which will also be hereinafter more fully described. .lt can be seen that guide plates 23 are provided for the sides of the unloading lower platform 12 and these side or guard plates can be formed of sheet metal and have their terminals rolled as at 24 around the posts 20 and the innermost pair of posts or standards 14 of the ele- `"ator shaft 13. rlhese plates 23 not only act as guards for the unloading lower platform 12, but also'as bracing means for the frame A.

Disposed intermediate the front and inner pairs of standards 14 are the guide rails 25 and theseguide rails can also be formed of w're of the desired gauge and have their lower terminals bentoutwardly at right angles to provide attaching feet 26 which can be inserted in eyes 27 struck out from the base plate 10. The upper ends of the guide rails 25 can be connected with the front and rear posts or standards 14 bv means of side pieces 28 as clearly shown in `Figure 2 of the drawings. The standards 14 can be braced or linked together at intervals if desired, by cross pieces 29 in order to add rigidity thereto and the standards are connected together' at their lower ends by cross bars 30 which form ay seat for the elevator car B when the same is in its lowermost position and form means for limiting the downward move? nient of the car and holds the same in such a position that the weight carried thereby will be released onto the unloading inclined lower platform 12. Directly above the bars 3() is disposed the transv rsely extending stop 31 which Aforms means for operating the releasing platform or means F for the weights carried by the elevator car B.

The elevator car B may also be formed of sheet metal if so desired and consists of the lower wall 32 and upstanding side walls 33. The upper ends of the side walls 33 can have guide arms 34 formed thereon for engaging the guide rails 25. It is preferred that the guide arms 34 have their side edges bent back upon themselves t0 provide bearing faces for engaging the opposite sides of the zguide rails or tracks 25, whereby lateral shifting movementof the elevator car B will be prevented. If desired, the upper ends of the arms 34 can be connected by transverse cross bars 36, as clearly shown in Figures 2 and 5 of the drawings.

The automatic raising means C for the elevator car B comprises a cable 37, which be in the nature of a cord or the like, and the inner endof this cord can be secured to a pin 38, which can be attached to the central portion of the bracing bars 3G. The intermediate portion of the cable 37 can be trained about a guide pulley 39 which can he mounted upon the shaft 19 heretohefore mentioned. rllhe outer end of the cable 37 has secured thereto a weight 40. which is of such size and mass to overcome the weight of the elevator car B. It. is obvious that the weight 40 will normally tend to move and hold the elevator car B in a raised position, but that when additional weight is placed upon the car which is heavier than the weight 40, that the car will be automatically lowered due to the force of gravity acting upon the other weight.

The weight feeding means Dconsists of an inclined platform 41, which may be A formed of sheet metal and the side edges of this platform may be bent upwardly to provide side guard flanges 42. This platform, as stated, is secured to the standards 2O and to the innermost pair of corner standards 14; fermingapart of the elevatorshaft 13. y

longitudinally extending guide tracks 45,

z which can be formed therein by `bending or corrugating the metal. Thesev guide tracks -form an important part of the invention, as the -same -form means for guiding the weights down' the inclined platform into en-V gagementwith the elevator carwB; y

The weight releasing and checking means E includes a pairof arcuate side arms 46,

ywhich have their outer ends pivoted as 'at 47'to the side flanges 42 adjacent to their outer ends.` These side'arms 46 gradually converge towardftheir forward ends and are bent inwardly back upon themselves as at 48 to provide ears, which normally lie in the path of the` cross bars 36, and it can 4be seen that upon upward movement of the elevator, thesame areadapted to (engage the ears and move the arms 46upwardly.l After the armsy 46 have beenbentI to provide the ears 48, the same are continued downwardly'to provide a. weight engaging portion 49,l andthis portion can be connected by a cross bar 50 if so desired, and it ycan be seen that the entire releasing portion can r4be formedof a single length of wire if so desired. It is obvious that whenthe arms 4,6 are raised by' the elevator car, that' the portion 49,will be lifted froml out of the path of the weights contained in the'chute or loading platform 41, and thus permit the weights to be fed into the elevator car B. y

ln order to insure the feeding of only one veight at a time tothe elevator car,` the checking means is provided which consists of side levers 51, which are pivoted interme-` diate their ends to side flanges 42 ofthe unloading platform 41 by-pins52. These le-l vers 51 extend upwardly .from the pivot pins 52 and are bent downwardly as at 53 yand connected togetherby a cross bar 54.

kThe bent portions 53. andthe cross bar 54 forms a means for; retarding the movement ofthe weights downfthe' inclined platform or chute 41 and prevents the loading of niorethan one weight ata time'upon the,A elevator' car B, as will behereinafter more! fully described. Thev rear ends of the levers Y v weight,the levers 51 will be swung. 'on their pivots52and the lbent portions 53and the cross bar 54 will be'moved into l,the path Lof p f Vihen theelevator car B returns to its lowermost position by the force of gravity acting upon the weight lfed into the same,

the arms 46 and the portions 49 and 50'will be returned to their normal positions by their own weight and raise the forward ends positionfor release. f Theweights, designated by thereference character Gr can be of any desired size or type, but it is preferred* that the same will,

be constructed to simulate barrels and the same are provided with annular flanges 60 so the `arms 46, thus bringing a new-weight in and these flanges are adapted to ride in the .i

guide tracks 45. The flanges 60 of course simulate the appearance of hoops in the 4ordinary barrels. Byfprovioling the flanges 60 ,andthe tracks .45, it will .be seen that the barrels or weights will be g'uidedlin` a. path down Vthe inclined plat-v stra-ight form 41.

The means F yfor releasing a weight Gr` formed of sheet metal if so desired. This platform 61 can have its inner edge rolled, asaty 62'to `provide a. hinge barrel, and a i suitabley pin 63 can be inserted through the barrel and secured to the side. walls,` 33 of the elevator car B. VTherear edge of the tiltingplatform61 may be bent upwardly as at 64 to provide af. rear wall,V and this wall may be bent back upon itself to provide an actuating 'lugeor flange 65. This ,iiangefor lug 65 is in the path' of the cross stop bar 31,) and it is obvious that when the car'B reaches its lowermost position, the flange 65 will be raised by the stop 3l, thus throwing theplat;

form 61 in a raisedtilted position which will cause the weight G in the car to roll off of the elevator car ,B onto 4the unloading inclined platform 12. As soon as the weight automatically raised by the weight 40 and another weight carried by'the inclined plat-I- vis released 'fromthecan the same willbev form 41 will `be releasedinthe manner heretobefore set forth.v

.which will be amusing to both youngand old,v

and in which the loperation thereof is yentirely automatic. i

" when a is desired to heid the relateren B` against'upward movement and. the toy From-fthe foregoing description,l it can be' against operation, the lock member H can'v he actuated. This loclr member H includes ay j'irinciples thereofcan be readily `incorporated in a merchandise handling apparatus and it can be seen that by use of the 1mi proved device, material can be readily moved fromone floor to another in an expeditious and simple manner. l

Changes 1n detalls may be made without 'departing fromy the spirit' 0r scope of this invention ,f but,

l claim l. In an elevator, an elevator shaft, any

elevator car slidably mounted in the shaft, a cable connected to the car yand trained about the pulley, a weight connected to the cable for normally holding the car in a raised position. a releasing means including a pair of arcuate arms, and a downwardly extending U-shaped member normally disposed in the path of the weights, the for` ward terminals of the arcuate arms being disposed iny the path of the elevator car, means pivotally securing the rear ends of the arms to the loadingplatform,aweight checking means including a pair of levers pivotallyy securedintermediate their ends to the loading platform, forwardly and downwardly extending members formed on the forward ends of the lever for engagingone of the weights in rear of the weight engaged by the releasing member, and outwardlyextending arms formed n the rear ends of the levers for engaging the arcuate portions of the arms of the releasing member.

2. An elevator comprising a shaft, an elevator car slidably mounted in the shaft, a pulley, a cable trained about the` pulley having oneend connected to the elevator car, a weight secured to the other end of the cable for normally holding the elevator car in 'a raised position, an inclined loading platform including a lowery wall and side guard flanges, weights of predetermined mass disposed on the loadingplatform, weight releasing means including a pair of inwardly extending arcuate arms, theforward ends `of the arms extending into the elevator shaft,

a crossplate carried by the elevator car for engaging the inner ends ofthe arms, a de. pending U-shaped portion formed on the arms arranged to normally vextend in the path of the weights for preventing move-y ment thereof, means pivotally securingthe outer ends ofthe arms to the side walls of the loading platform, a weight checking member includingv side levers. means pivotally securingthe side levers to theside walls intermediate their ends, a downwardly disposed U-shaped member formed on the inner ends of thelevers for movement into the path of a weight carried by the loading plat,- form in rear ofthe weight engaged by the released member, oid-ivardly extending yarms formed on the outer ends of the-levers for slidably engaging the arcuate portion of the arms of the releasing member, a tilting platform carried by the elevator car for receiving the weights from the loading platform,

said tilting` platform including a lower wall,

`means pivotally securing the inner end of the lower wall to the elevator car, an upwardly and formed on the rear edge of the platform, and means carried by the elevator shaft disposed in the path of the downwardly bent portion 0f the tilting platform, causing the tilting of the platform when the elevator car reaches its lowermost position. i

3. An elevator comprising a base'plate formed of sheety metal, an elevator shaft formed of wire rods having their* lower ter minals bent outwardly at right angles, struck out eyes formed inthe baseplate .for receiving the lower ends of the rod, guard and guide rails disposed in the shaft having one of-their lower ends bent `atright angles, eyes upstruclr from the base plate for receiving said bent ends, a forward pair of wire standards connected tothe base plate, andasheet metal unloading platform secured to the last mentioned standards and to theelevator shaft, an'inclined unloading platform struck up from the base plate, a sheet metal elevator car mounted in the elevator shaft, guide lianges formed on the elevator car for slidably engaging the lguard rails,v a shaft'carried by the elevator shaft, a cable trained about the shaft, means connecting the cable to the car, a weight connected to the cable for normally raising the car, weights carried by the loading platform, means actuating the elevator oar for releasing the weights, means for releasing the weights in the elevator car when the same reaches its lowermost position so that the same will be moved onto the unloadine` platform. v L i a. ln an elevator, an elevator shaft, an inclined loading platform disposed at the upper end of the elevator shaft, an elevator car slidably mounted in the shaft for vertical movement, means for normally holding the elevator car in a raised position in the shaft,aplurality of weights on said loading platform, a releasing' member for the weights pivotally carried by the loading platform, means actuated by the elevator car downwardlyy bent portion llO for operating said releasing Vmeans whereby ried by the loading platform for engaging the weights, and means opera-tively connecting. the weight checking means tothe' weight releasing means whereby the former is swung on its pivotto check all of the weights but that nearest the shaft when the weight releasing means is lswung on its pivot to release the weight nearest the shaft.

5. In an elevator, a frame including an elevatorshaft, an inclined loading platform having its delivery end at the upper portion of the shaft, said platform provided with longitudinally extending parallel grooves, weights simulating barrels mounted on the platform for sliding movement, said weights provided` with annular ribs formed on their periphery for engaging in saidv grooves, an elevator car slidably mounted in the elevator shaft, and means actuated bythe elevator oar for permitting one weight at a time to be released `from the unloading platform and to roll into said car.

6. .In atoy elevator, the c-,on'ubinationy of y ank elevator shaft, a plurality of barrel shaped weights, means for delivering said weights, one at a time into the shaft at the upper end portion thereof, a car guided in itsnmovement up and down in saidshaft, saidcar including a lower wall and upstanding side walls` relatively Wider vthan they diameter of said weights, yand a weightv releasing means for the car Vwhen it reaches the lower portion of the shaft, including a platform extending between the saidl upf standing walls of the car, said platform pivotally connected at one margin to the lower wall of the car, and having its upper surfacey shaped to receive the weight betweensaid upstanding walls; and a rigid member carried by the elevator shaft adapted to engage the car carried platform when the car approaches its lowermost position to swing the car carried platform about its pivot,`

causing the weight to roll from between the upstanding walls of the car.

JOHN P. KIRfs'r. 

